Vietnam veteran Brian F. Sullivan reflects on the war

In 1971 we had started to withdraw our units and transfer missions to the forces of South Vietnam. In the minds of many the war was all but over. We weren’t fighting to stem the tide of communism. Patriotism had waned. Who wanted to be the last American soldier to die in Vietnam? We were now fighting for each other – our brothers in arms.

The dying boy’s eyes pleaded with me as he gasped, “GI, I be OK?” I lied. “Ya, you be OK, no sweat.” His blood soaked the shirt of my jungle fatigues and dripped from my hands. As I lifted him into the ambulance, life slowly ebbed from the limp body, while mortar rounds slammed into the Army Republic of South Vietnam induction center in Qui Nhon.

It was the night of Feb. 22, 1971. Emotions had to be submerged. The image of a tough, seasoned military police lieutenant had to be portrayed. But, back in the solitude of my hooch, it was different. There it all came rushing back and I just kept repeating over and over again, “It don’t mean nothin’!”

It was a coping mechanism that allowed me to survive the horror, bury my rage and go on with the task at hand.

By then the war was increasingly seen as un-winnable. Military morale was as low as at any point in our history. “Ticket punchers,” who needed to knock off a tour of duty in country to enhance their careers, infested our military leadership. Meanwhile, back home, our politicians failed to support us and the peace movement led to disgust for the war and our soldiers who fought it.

In 1971 we had started to withdraw our units and transfer missions to the forces of South Vietnam. In the minds of many the war was all but over. We weren’t fighting to stem the tide of communism. Patriotism had waned. Who wanted to be the last American soldier to die in Vietnam? We were now fighting for each other – our brothers in arms.

On Sept. 11, 2001, some 30 years had passed, but the rage returned. Once again a failure of leadership would cost American lives. Five months earlier I had helped arrange for a television exposé of security shortcomings at Boston’s Logan International Airport. Despite the warning, nothing was done and now two planes commandeered by terrorists would slam into the World Trade Center and close to 3,000 people would die.

Shortly thereafter our nation would begin its conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Initial success was diminished by failed attempts at nation building. More of our young men and women would be killed or maimed and for what? Iraq is now in turmoil and we are withdrawing from Afghanistan. Like in Vietnam, who wants to be the last soldier to die in an un-winnable war? The soldiers there aren’t fighting to stem the tide of Middle Eastern terrorist fanatics. They are fighting for each other – their brothers and sisters in arms.

And now the sad story of Staff Sergeant Robert Bales and 17 dead Afghan innocents. It is so reminiscent of the My Lai massacre during the Vietnam conflict. And, where’s the military leadership that allows for a fourth tour of duty for a trained sniper who’s had a brain injury and suffers from anxiety and depression? As the administration and Congress fiddle and diddle, American blood and treasure continues to be spent on a losing effort. We see the same lack of political will and courage that we saw exhibited during the Vietnam War. If we are not going to win, then we should get out. Stop putting our young men and women needlessly in harm’s way.

Page 2 of 2 - As the 50th anniversary of our country’s involvement in the Vietnam conflict approaches, I ask myself what lessons have we learned. Are we simply repeating the same mistakes? The rage returns as I process the Bales incident in PTSD group sessions at the Brockton VA hospital. I look at what’s happened and consider the failed leadership which now has our country on the edge of economic ruin. I watch an inept Congress so hung up on political brinksmanship that they can’t get the job done for the American people.

Quietly I go to my room, hang my head and repeat over and over, “It don’t mean nothin’!” Once again, it seems like the only way to get by.

The Department of Defense has announced plans for the nation to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, beginning with a Washington, D.C. event on Monday. The major focus is to thank Vietnam veterans and their families for their sacrifice. During the commemoration period, which will run until 2023, their service and contributions will be recognized.

Back in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s disgust, for the war and our soldiers who fought it, peaked. Many returning veterans didn’t receive the “welcome home” they deserved. In my case, I was the officer in charge of a prisoner shipment from Long Binh Jail to the Presidio in San Francisco and then on to the Castle at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. When I landed in California, in July 1971, my MPs and I met with jeers and derision, while our prisoners were greeted with empathy by the “flower children” at the airport.

Today, I’m hoping Americans will realize that the 50th anniversary provides an opportunity to make amends and recognize the sacrifice made by our Vietnam veterans who served with honor in Southeast Asia.

This Memorial Day let’s remember those soldiers and let’s also ponder the lessons we should have learned from that long, dragged out, dreadful war. Maybe then, just maybe, the 50th anniversary can provide sufficient reflection for us all to move forward towards a better future. I hope so, because I’m tired of having to say, “It don’t mean nothin’!”